Borough of Netcong, NJ Special Law Enforcement Officers

[Amended 12-10-1998 by Ord. No. 98-18]

Special law enforcement officers may be appointed in such members and classifications as may be set forth hereinafter. Such special law enforcement officers shall serve under the direction of the Chief of Police or, in the absence of a Chief of Police, the chief law enforcement officer of the Borough of Netcong and shall perform the duties and responsibilities permitted by law subject to any and all rules and regulations adopted pursuant to such law. Such special officers shall not be members of the Police Department.

Appointment. Special law enforcement officers shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Borough Council, for terms not exceeding one year, but may be reappointed as needed and as permitted by law. Said appointment may be revoked by the Mayor and Borough Council for cause, after adequate hearing. Any appointment which is for a period of four months or less may be revoked without cause or hearing.

(1)

Exceptions. No person shall be allowed to serve as a special officer in more than one local unit at the same time, nor shall any permanent, regularly appointed, full-time police officer of any local unit be appointed as a special police officer in the Borough of Netcong. No public official with responsibility for setting law enforcement policy or for exercising authority over the budget of the Borough of Netcong or for supervision of the Police Department of the Borough of Netcong shall be appointed as a special officer. "Local unit" as the term is used herein shall mean any municipality having established a regular, local police force pursuant to law.

Qualifications of special officers. No person may be appointed as a special officer unless the person:

(1)

Is a resident of the State of New Jersey during the term of appointment.

(2)

Is able to read, write and speak the English language well and intelligently and has a high school diploma or equivalent.

(3)

Is sound in body and of good health.

(4)

Is of good moral character.

(5)

Has not been convicted of any offense involving dishonesty or which would make him/her unfit to perform, the duties of the office of special officer.

(6)

Has successfully undergone the same psychological screening that is required of all full-time police officers of the Borough of Netcong Police Department or, with regard to a special officer hired for a seasonal period, has successfully undergone a program of psychological testing approved by the Police Training Commission.

(7)

Has been fingerprinted as required by statute and has passed all background investigation designed to determined the eligibility and qualifications of the applicant to serve as a special officer. The Chief of Police or, in the absence of a Chief of Police, the chief law enforcement officer of the Borough of Netcong shall be responsible for conducting the aforesaid background investigation and issuing a written report on the same to the Borough Council.

Classification and authority of special officers. In accordance with the Special Law Enforcement Officers' Act, N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8, there shall be two classifications of special law enforcement officers based upon the duties to be performed by the officers as follows:

(1)

Class One. Officers of this class shall be authorized to perform routine traffic detail, spectator control and similar duties. Class One officers are hereby authorized to issue summonses for disorderly persons and petty disorderly persons offenses, violations of municipal ordinances and violations of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes. The use of a firearm by an officer of this class shall be strictly prohibited, and no Class One officer shall be assigned any duties which may require carrying or use of a firearm.

(2)

Class Two. Officers of this class shall be authorized to exercise full powers and duties similar to those of a permanent, regularly appointed full-time police officer. The use of a firearm by Class Two officers may be permitted under the conditions set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.8.

Training. No special officer shall commence his duties until he has completed training as currently required under N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.11 or as the same may be amended from time to time. Former New Jersey police officers who meet the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40:14-146.10f shall not have to meet the training requirements referred to hereunder, provided that such officers shall receive a waiver from the Police Training Commission and file said waiver with the Borough Administrator.

[Amended 9-10-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-14]

Hours of employment.

(1)

No special police officer may be employed for more than 20 hours per week, except that special officers may be employed for those hours as the Borough may determine necessary in accordance with the limits prescribed below:

(a)

For an unlimited number of hours during periods of emergency.

(b)

For a period of not more than 20 hours per week to provide public safety and law enforcement services to public entity. Said period shall be in addition to employment for not more than 20 hours per week, including duties assigned pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:14-146.14.

(2)

The Chief of Police or, in the absence of a Chief of Police, the chief law enforcement officer of the Borough of Netcong may designate one special officer to whom the limitations on hours employed shall not be applicable.

Special law enforcement officers authorized. There shall be no more than 10 special police officers employed by the Borough at any one time. The number of Class Two special officers shall not exceed 25% of the total regular membership of the Police Department.